Cyamodus was a fascinating marine reptile that lived 242–237 million years ago during the Middle Triassic period. As a member of the placodonts, Cyamodus was a true armored guardian of the ancient seas. Its body, reaching up to 1.5 meters in length, was protected by a two-part shell: a large dorsal armor covering its back and a smaller one shielding its hips and tail.

The name Cyamodus comes from the Greek words “kyamos” (bean) and “odous” (tooth), reflecting the shape of its teeth, which were perfect for crushing mollusk shells—its primary food source. Despite its heavy armor, Cyamodus was relatively agile for its kind, moving slowly across the seafloor in search of prey.

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